UPDATE:Hydro asking customers to curb power usage

An accident during Saturday's storm on Topsail Road and Paradise Road. It was one of two minor accidents in the area.

Newfoundland Hydro says their says their power conservation request is no longer in effect.

Earlier story:

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is asking customers to conserve energy this evening as extreme cold and stormy conditions put pressure on an a system already strained by a broken generator unit at Hollyrood.

Hydro says it is working in cooperation with Newfoundland Power to ensure a reliable supply of electricity to customers on the island. However, extreme cold weather and windy conditions across the island may cause some difficulties for Hydro to provide sufficient power to meet demand during the peak period this evening when electricity use is at its highest.

As a precautionary measure, customers of both Hydro and Newfoundland Power across the island are asked to avoid unnecessary electricity usage and reduce their consumption as much as possible from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Hydro says people can assist by reducing their electric heat, conserving hot water by not running dishwashers, washers and showers, and should also avoid using clothes dryers.

Third world power system? Hard to believe that they depend on all their units with no contingency/reserve generation. What about future load growth? Such as the Long Harbour plant which will require about 100Mw's. Even with the Lower Churchill they will still need a source of backup power in the case of a transmission line shutdown or trip, its a long distance to send power and underwater too . They need to build a thermal power plant now, or at the very least some bigger combustion turbine generators for backup.

I understand how these companies can ask customer not to use washer, dryers and the use of hot water, but how can they ask us to ruduce our heat in as they say EXTREME cold weather. Hydro should conserve power also by turning out all the lights and turning down the heat in their building in which nobody is in during the weekend. I'm sure if you drove by the building you would see the lights on every floor lit. They should practice what they preach. There are other building that are closed every weekend that lights should be turned off City Hall and Conferderation Building!!!